Veteran filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan drew flak during Sunday’s Kerala Film Conclave for comments he made about the ₹1.5 crore grants given to Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribes and women filmmakers. While he appreciated the initiative, he raised concerns about its execution.
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Taking the stage at the conclave, he said, “The government is providing ₹1.5 crore for filmmakers from the SC/ST communities to make films. I told the Chief Minister that the government is paving the way for corruption through this, but nothing has changed.” Gopalakrishnan states that filmmakers have raised complaints about the scheme, and suggested that those receiving it must undergo three months of intensive training before making films.
"Same goes with women,” he added. “Don't give money to make a film just because she is a woman.” Gopalakrishnan also suggested that the amount should be reduced from ₹1.5 crore to ₹50 lakh.
Reactions to Gopalakrishnan’s comments
Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cherian defended the policy, citing a lack of opportunities for these communities in the past. “In the 98 years of Malayalam cinema’s history, those from the SC/ST communities have not had a mainstream opportunity. This funding project is one of the best decisions this government has taken, because of which many new filmmakers from these communities were able to come forward,” Cherian said, adding that each recipient goes through an intensive screening process.
Filmmaker Dr Biju, a Dalit, strongly opposed Gopalakrishnan’s comments and posted on Facebook: “If many people who have acquired only their creativity without any training can do cinema, similarly, people and women belonging to the scheduled caste and scheduled tribe category can do film.”
Kerala’s Minister of Higher Education R. Bindu also weighed in on the platform and said, “It doesn't matter if you roam the world's cinema halls, you have to develop your heart and become a human being.”
